Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
32 mi east · Fish and Wildlife Service
Our namesake comes from the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy, a powerful and enduring alliance that has thrived in the northeast for centuries.
Outdoors
Hiking near Niagara Falls
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Niagara Falls, closest first.
27places to hike
32 mito the closest
April–Novemberbest months
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
Closest picks
Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area
64 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
The US Army Corps of Engineers built the Mount Morris Dam in the late 1940s to reduce flooding on the lower Genesee River.
Willow Bay
77 mi south · USDA Forest Service
Willow Bay is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, about 16 miles from Bradford, in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Map of all 27 places
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30 to 75 miles (2)
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Our namesake comes from the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy, a powerful and enduring alliance that has thrived in the northeast for centuries.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Ice Fishing
Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area
The US Army Corps of Engineers built the Mount Morris Dam in the late 1940s to reduce flooding on the lower Genesee River.
- Boating
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Winter sports
75 miles and farther (25)
Willow Bay
Willow Bay is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, about 16 miles from Bradford, in northwestern Pennsylvania.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Tracy Ridge
Tracy Ridge Campground is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, approximately 15 miles from Bradford, Pennsylvania. Allegheny Reservoir is just minutes away.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Water sports
Almond Lake
Kanakadea Park operated by Stuben County, NY is located on Almond Lake. Camping and day use facilities for picnicing and boating are available.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Allegheny Reservoir
Totally surrounded by forest, Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir are the heart of one of the largest and most popular outdoor recreation complexes in the northeastern United States.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Kiasutha
Kiasutha Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering countless water activities. Recreation Visitors enjoy the large, grassy beach for swimming and relaxing.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Red Bridge (Pa)
Red Bridge Campground sits on the eastern shore of the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a peaceful getaway for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Farnsworth Cabin
Farnsworth Cabin is tucked away in the northwest portion of Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the stone cabin is conveniently located 8.5 miles northwest of Sheffield.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Hearts Content Recreation Area
Hearts Content Campground is a semi-primitive family campground bordering the Hickory Creek Wilderness Area and surrounded by native hardwoods and a patch of planted pine forest.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Winter sports
Allegheny National Forest
.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Diving
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
Twin Lakes (Pa)
Rec.gov campsite availability grid is not reflective of availability. For more information on reservations, please visit http://fotlanf.org/ Twin Lakes Campground is located near a small, spring-fed, trout-stocked lake, popular with…
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
East Branch Campground
East Branch Campground is located at East Branch Lake in Northeastern Elk County. East Branch Lake offers an excellent freshwater fishery as well as other recreational opportunities from hiking, boating, and picnicking.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Water Activities
- Wildlife viewing
East Branch Clarion River Lake
Elk State Park is located at this lake in scenic western Pennslyvania, 14 miles north east of Johnsonburg.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Kellettville Recreation Area (Pa)
Half of Forest County, where Tionesta Lake is located, is preserved as public lands. The region is known as one of Pennsylvania's best big game regions and is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
Woodcock Creek Lake
Provides a 333-acre summer pool with the largest recreation facility.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Erie National Wildlife Refuge
Erie National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1959. The first lands for the refuge were purchased with funds provided from the sale of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps (also known as Duck stamps).
- Cross Country Skiing
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
Tionesta Rec. Area Campground
Half of Forest County, where Tionesta Lake is located, is preserved as public lands. The region is known as one of Pennsylvania's best big game regions and is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Photography
Outflow Recreation Area (Pa)
Half of Forest County, where Tionesta Lake is located, is preserved as public lands. The region is known as one of Pennsylvania's best big game regions and is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Scenic Drive
- Wilderness
Tionesta Lake
Winding its way through the rugged hills of northwestern Pennsylvania, Tionesta Lake offers a unique setting for a diversity of outdoor recreational fun. The Seneca named this area "where the water separates the land".
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Establishing the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in 1938 was the first step of many to restore the area back to its historic expanse of marshes—an area thriving with wildlife, once used by indigenous people for hunting and fishing.
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests
- Biking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Potomac Group Campground
Potomac Group Campground and Day Use Area provides a primitive camping experience for groups of 8-40 people. It is an excellent site for family events and youth group activities.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
South Shore Recreation Area
South Shore Recreation Area is located on the south side of the Cowanesque Lake along State Route 49, just five miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Cowanesque Lake
This Corps project located near the New York state line in North Central Pennsylvania provides a 1,085-acre lake with 17 miles of shoreline for use by campers and day trippers.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Tompkins
Tompkins Campground is on the north shore of Cowanesque Lake in the northern tier of Pennsylvania, less than one mile from the New York state border.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Tioga-Hammond Lakes
Twin lakes in north central Pennsylvania with overnight and dayuse facilities in a scenic environment, southwest of Tioga, PA and north of Wellsboro on PA Route 287, which is acessable from U.S. Route 15 northeast of Tioga and U.S.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Niagara Falls. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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More outdoors near Niagara Falls
- Camping near Niagara Falls
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- Boating and kayaking near Niagara Falls
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- Picnic spots near Niagara Falls
- Horseback riding near Niagara Falls
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Niagara Falls
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- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for hiking near Niagara Falls?
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 32 miles east of Niagara Falls as the crow flies. Next are Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area (64 mi) and Willow Bay (77 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near Niagara Falls?
Based on Niagara Falls’s average highs, April–November. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.